InventorSpot

updated July 30, 2008

Pets are like kids: they love new stuff and they get bored easily. So, in looking for perfect pet gifts this year, I focused on pet toys that have the potential of holding your pet's attention for more than a few minutes on more than one occasion. High on my list are those toys that don't require the owner to participate in the play, which is what I mean by interactive. Cats are the hardest to please, so I'll list my faves in cat toys first:

Interactive Toys For Cats

Pet Toy 1. Da BirdDa Bird

 

Believe it or not, what with all of the cat-teaser toys on the market, with feathers, boas, ribbons, cords, and whatnots, Da Bird cat teaser is favored by theDa Bird Accessories majority of cats who've rated it. Maybe it's the longer (36") wand, or the sound of the feathers in flight, or the fact that the feathers are real bird feathers... whatever does it, your cat will be addicted. Owners advise against leaving your cat alone with this toy. Designed and sold by Go-Cat Feather Toys ($5.95); accessories available for Da Cat at various prices.

Pet Toy 2. The Cat Spa

Cat Spa

Don't you sometimes wish you were a cat? Cats really know how to find all those feel-good spots. And the Hagin Catit Cat Spa knows where they are and how to reach them. After all, there's nothing like a 'feel good' toy for a cat. With the Body Groomer and the Ripple Massager for rubbing the face, head and neck, those especially hard to groom places for a cat, he'll groom himself and stimulate lots of pheromones to calm him. The Accu-Pressure pads provide your cat stepping places she loves to stimulate her paws. And cats love their gums stimulated. I've been massaging my cats' gums with my fingers, but the Cat Spa Gum Stimulator offers cats something to actually gnaw on.. which does not feel good on your fingers. (There's a place for catnip in the gum stimulator, so she'll be more inclined to chew on it.) All of this in one toy will keep your cat busy. Gift available at cat places and Amazon.com ($24.97).

Pet Toy 3. The Kitty Babble BallBabble Ball Kitty

Pet Quirks has some definite winners in their Babble Balls. The Babble Ball for kitties is 2.125" diameter and nice and ridged for some gum stimulation, if desired. The Babble Ball makes cat-appropriate sayings whenever your cat comes near it or so much as breathes near it. Surprise! What was that!?

Hear the Babble Ball for Kitties at Pet Quirks. Available for order at Amazon.com for $5.60.

 

 

Pet Toy 4. The Tick Tock TeaserTick Tock Teaser

When the pendulum swings on the Tick Tock Teaser, your cat will have two problems to solve: how to stop the pendulum and how to catch the little toy prey inside this wooden box. If she does catch it, and bores of it, as kitties do, you can exchange the inner toy for another, by inserting a new one with Velcro. And it always helps to stuff the toy with fresh catnip. Nice looking, sturdy box that promises lots of fun for da cat. Gift available at Amazon.com for $17.59.

 

Pet Toy 5. Fat Cat Toys

Fat Cat Toys
Fat Cat Inc. makes literally dozens of adorable little critters for cats. You have to see them all to believe what cute little personalities each one has. Yes, they are works of art that your cat can't really appreciate. But what your feline friend will love is the "high octane" catnip and the crinkling or crunchy sounds they make. Available from Fat Cat's Cat-a-logue or from Amazon.com starting at $2.99. This cute You Tube video by "Heidojo" shows cats at play with a Fat Cat toy...

 

 

Pet Toy 6. Crinkle Kitty Shopping Bag

Kitty Crinkle Bag

Straight from the paper bag, the cheapest, most handy toy to entertain a cat, comes crinkly cat bags, made out of material, but still crackly enough to keep her mesmerized. The crinkly bags come in all shapes and sizes, but I like this
Crinkle Kitty Shopping Bag, because the mirrored paw print pattern gives kitty a visual dimension to her play as well. This crinkle bag is made out of nylon, and lined with a mysterious layer of "crinkle" (maybe mylar?) Gift available at Doctors Foster and Smith for $14.99.